England midfielder Steven Gerrard has apologised to national coach Sven-Goran Eriksson for going on a late-night drinking session just days before the decisive World Cup qualifier against Greece.

England midfielder Steven Gerrard has apologised to national coach Sven-Goran Eriksson for going on a late-night drinking session just days before the decisive World Cup qualifier against Greece.

Eriksson has accepted the apology and Gerrard has retained his place in the squad for Saturday's match at Old Trafford.

Liverpool star Gerrard, 21, was reportedly seen with friends in Southport's Republik vodka bar up to 2am on Tuesday - only 11 hours before the England squad gathered to begin preparations.

Paul Newman, the Football Association's director of communications, told the Daily Mail: "Steven Gerrard has given a full explanation to Sven and apologised for any embarrassment caused.

"As far as Sven is concerned the matter is closed."

Gerrard was reportedly seen drinking several bottles of vodka-based alcopop during the night out.

Earlier that day, the Professional Footballers' Association's Young Player of the Year was in Paris for one of his regular appointments with an osteopath for a back problem. He was meant to rest afterwards.

In the build up to the big match, Eriksson warned that players who step out of line face the axe.

That followed his decision to drop midfielder Frank Lampard, who had taken part in a drinking session with three Chelsea team-mates in a Heathrow Hotel playing host to grieving American tourists shortly after the terrorist attacks on the US.

When asked if a more senior player would be dealt with in the same manner, Eriksson had said: "We will see when it happens."

Gerrard has escaped exclusion from the England set-up, but is believed to be on his last warning.

Eriksson's views on players drinking are well documented and he said in his book OThe Good Team': "If a player breaks my rules on or off the field, he faces the consequences.

"I am particularly hard on drinking, partying or nightclubbing.

"I always take action against those who put their own interests ahead of the team."

In May, Gerrard's club manager, Gerard Houllier, warned the player of the dangers of late nights out on the town.

"He has to live for the job," said the Liverpool manager. "If his mates want to go to a nightclub, let them.

"By the time he has finished, he can buy one of his own."

The Republik's licensee, Gavin McGrae, told the Daily Mail that Gerrard was a regular customer.

He said: "Steve comes in quite a lot, but much less so since Houllier gave him that warning."

Following Houllier's lecture, Gerrard said: "It is all about being professional.

"If that means sacrificing nights out, then fine. I will keep a low profile, eat the right things and not drink."